Power-transmitting device



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2 Sheets-Sheet 1 J. R. LEMON .mw MY Filed March 17, 1944 POWER-TRANSMITTING DEVICE Feb. 18, 1947.

l N Vl? NTOR doEPH R. L EM 0N A TTORNE YS.

Feb. 1s, 1947. J R LEMON 2,415,894

POWER-TRANSMITTING DEVICE Filed March 17', 1944 2 sheets-sheet 2 A TTORNE YS PalenledFebrls, 1947 llNlTED STATES( PATENT ol=l=lc.-:

POWER-TRANG DEVICE Joseph R. Lemon, Detroit, Mich., assigner to vChrysler Corporation, Highland Park, Mich., a

corporation of Delaware Application March 1li-1944, serlal No. 526.853

' 1l claims. (cl. 19a- 3.2)

This invention relates to the association of a clutch with a iluid coupling. More speciilcally it relates to the association of a magnetic clutch with a, fluid coupling in such a manner that the coupling and clutch are carried Within the same housing. The term uid coupling as used herein is intended to cover any means by which power is transmitted through fluid, such means being a uid coupling inthe common accepted'sense, a torque converter, or any like device.

Itis, of course, ,known to associate a clutch and iluid coupling. However, when the clutch and fluid coupling are associated in such a way that disengagement of the clutch stops both'the im peller structure'and the runner structure of the clutch from rotating, the problem arises of satisfactorily sealing the uid coupling from the.

clutch. If the clutch is of such a type that it will not function properly if the uid of the iiuidl coupling comes into contact with it, then sealing may be so complicated that several seals are required. This is the case with the normal disc clutch. However, I have chosen to employ a magnetic clutch. This type of clutch has the advantage that fluid need not be excluded from it and, in fact, its operation may be improved if iluid comes into contact with it. Since fluid need not be excluded vfrom the magnetic clutch, the prob lem of sealing is simplied.

An object of the present invention is to provide a clutch with a fluid coupling.

novel association of clutch and iiuid coupling of the present invention;

Another object is the provision of improvements in an arrangement of clutch and iluid coupling in which no part of the uld coupling is driven by a normally driving member during disengagement of the clutch. In this arrangement a housing that contains the impeller and runner structures constituting the uid coupling may be driven when the clutch is disengaged but neither impeller structure nor runner structure is driven at that time.

A further 'object is to simplify the sealing of associated clutch and uid coupling.

Stilly another object is to associate a magnetic clutch with a. iiuid coupling. These parts are associated in such a way that they are contained in a common housing` structure and the uid of the uid coupling comes into contact with the clutch and improves its operation. This arrangement makes possible the reduction of theoverall 'length of uid coupling and clutch and so brings Fig. 2 is a. sectional View taken on the line 2*-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line `3--3 ,of Fig. 2; and

Figs. 4 and 5 are detail views showing plates the present invention.

forming part of the magnetic clutch employed in Reference character I 0 designates a' transmay be press-,fitted within the fitting I3 which v carries bolts 28 by means of which the structure assemblyv I2 is connected to an engine crankshaft, not shown. -Thecasing part I6 is suitably secured to the ltting I4 as by soldering or welding and the casing part I6 is in turn connected to the casing part I6 by a ring 2l and by soldering or Welding indicated at 22, The ring I'I is connected to the casing part I 6 by soldering or Welding and the end member I8 is secured to the ring I'I by bolts 23. The sleeve I9 is secured to the end member I8 by a nut, 24, tapered surfaces indicated at 25 on the end member I8 and the sleeve I9 providing a tight securement of. these parts. Positioned within the casing I5 is a, runner structure 26 secured to a hub member 2l keyed to one end of a shaft 28. The other end of the shaft 28 extends into the transmission case I0. The hub 27 and the said one end of the shaft 28 are journalled upon the tting I4 by means of a, ball bearing 29. 'I'lle sleeve I9 forming'part of the unitary structure assembly I2 is journalled by means of needle bearings 30 upon an intermediateportion of the shaft 28.' Positioned Within the casing I5 is an impeller structure 3| adjacent the runner structure 26. The impeller structure 3l is secured by bolts 32 to a tubular member 33 journalled upon the sleeve I9 by means of a ball bearing 34 and roller bearings 35. A seal 36 acting between the hub 21 secured to therunner structure 26 and the sleeve I 8 prevents fluid within the casing I5 acting between the impeller and runner structures 3| and 26 from coming in contact with the shaft 28.

A magnetic clutch 31 includes Aa set of alternate discs 3 8 keyed to the ring Il and a set of alternate discs 39 keyed to the tubular member 33. Fig. 4 shows each clutch disc 38 to hav( notches 40 cut in its external periphery for key -couplinghasaccess lng the discs tothe tubular member 33. A radial slit 4I extends inwardly from each notch 49. A plurality of radial slits 42 extend outwardly from the inside of the disc 38 and-terminate in enlarged openings 43. Fig. 5 Ashows each clutch disc 39 to have a' plurality of notches 44 in its innner side by which it is keyed tothe tubular member 33. Each disc 39 also has radial slots 39" extending outwardly from the inner periphery and radial slots 39b extending inwardly from the v outer periphery and terminating in enlarged openings 39. Magnetic clutch 31 also includes an amature 45, a magnet 49 and a coil 41. Current is conducted to the coil 41 by a. wire 48 connected to one of nuts 49, in turn connected -to bolts 59, in turn connected to a supporting mem- Mounted upon the supporting member 5I is a ring 52 which may be of graphite material. A metallic ring 53 rests against the ring 52.

A spring ring 54, held in place bya retaining ring 55 and acting directly against the ring 53, presses the ring 52 into contact with the supporting member 5I. The ring 53 is connected to a conducting strip 59, which has a curved perforated'end 56, secured to a concave surface 59" in an en'dcf an electrical connector 59 by a bolt 51 and a-nut .'59 having a convex end 58B. The electrieaiconnector 59 is mounted in an insulating member Glin the clutch housingV II. An electricallead 9| isattached to .the connector 5 9 by a nut '92 threaded -on the connector 5 9. A ring 93A held betweenl the end member I8 and the r nut 24 vprevents entrance of dirt into the space between the end member I8 and the supporting member 5 I A lug 84 pressed from the ring 83 into any one of a series of Yslots 95 in the nut 24 keys the ring 63 to the nut 24.

` The drawings show the ring 52 and the supporting member 5I to contact over both a cylindrical area, and an annular radial area. The radial area is the real current transmitting area, for wear of the ring 52 will not interfere with contact at this region,

During operation supplying of current to the magnetic clutch 31 causesthe armature 45 to be attracted toward the magnet 46 so that the clutch plates 38 clutchplates'39. Thus rotation of the casing I5 produced by rotation of the crankshaft acting through theV bolts 29 is transmitted through the engaged magnetic clutch 31 to the tubular member 33 and the impeller structure 3l. Rotation of the'impeller-'structure 3l acts through the fluid contained in the casing .I5 to rotate .the runner structure 29 which acts through the hub member 21tr)v rotate the mission casing I9'. When drive is to be interrupted the magnetic clutch-31 is disengaged by interruption of theelectric current ilowing to the clutch. When this takes place the armature 45 is nolonger attracted'to the magnet 49 and .the

' clutch plates 39 -slip .with respect to the clutch plates 38. When the clutch is thus disengaged the casing I'5=housing the impeller and runner structures 3| and 29 rotates but these structures do not rotate. It will be apparent'that the uid within the casing I5 may reach the clutch plates 38 and 39 and when the clutch is disengaged the uid helps the platesv slip on one another so that disengagement is complete. It is also apparent that the'problem of sealing the uid vcoupling is very much'simpliiied for only the -single seal 38 is required since the clutch isl housed within the parts to which'the uid of the fluid As seen in Figs. 2 and 3 the'conducting strip 98 is wide enough to resist rotation of ring 53 and thin/enough to flex and so to permit axial movement of the ring 53. Furthermore, the securement or the conducting strip 58 to the electrical conductor 59 by the curved end 59 on strip 96, the convex end 58a on nut 58, and the concave surface 59h on conductor 59 permits a shifting of the angle of the conducting strip 59 to accommodate axial movement of the ring 53 toward the supporting member 5I. Fig. 3 shows the opening in the curved end 58a of the conducting strip 59 to be somewhat larger than thediameter of the bolt 51 so that the curved end 56a can be shifted with respect to the nut 58 and the electrical conductor 59. Axial movement of the ring 53 may be due to Wear between the ring 53 and the housing 5i or to movement of the entire assem# bly caused by vibration. Moreover, the shape and dimensions of the conducting strip 594 and the curved surfaces on nut 58 and connector 59 allows compensation for lany lateral misallgnment upon assembly between the ring 53 and the connector 59.

` It is, the intention to limit the invention only within the scope of the appended claims.

member, a fluid coupling comprising a casing and impeller. and runner structures, a magnetic clutch vcomprising two sets of alternately placed plates and magnetic-parts positioned on opposite sides means connecting one set of plates to the casing,

' means connecting the other set' of plates to one are in driving engagement with the der are connected to one structure, the vplatesbeshaft extending-into the transof the impeller and runner structures, means connecting the other of theimpelier and runner structures to one of the driving and driven members, and means connecting the other ofthe driving and driven members to the casing.

2. A power-transmitting device comprising a rotatable driving member, a rotatable driven' member, a fluid coupling comprising a casing and impeller and runner structures, means connectingone member to the casing, a clutch positioned within the casing and comprising 'plates of which some areconnected tothe casing and the remaining adapted to have driving vengagement produced through opposed forces applied to press the plates against one another and toslip, with respect to one another under the action of uid of the fluid coupling upon removal of the forces, and `means connecting the otherstructure tothe other member.

3. A power-transmitting devicecomprisingal rotatable driving member,'a rotatable driven member, a-iiuid coupling comprising a casing and impeller. and runnerl structures, meansconnectof the forces, and means connecting the othering one member to the casing, a clutch positioned within the casing, and comprisingplates, some being connected to the casing andthe remainder to one; structure, the plates being adapted to be pressed together by magnetic on one structure to the other member.

4. A power-transmitting device comprising a uid coupling having a rotatable casing and iml peller and runner structures, a shaft having driv ing engagement at one endwith one structure, av

forces forfdrlvlng another under the l sleeve journalled on the shaft, means securing the sleeve to the casing, means Journalling the other structure on the sleeve, a clutch positioned within the casing and connecting the casing and the said other structure.

5. A power-,transmitting device comprising a uid coupling having a rotatable casing and impeller and runner structures, a lshaft having driving engagement at lone end with one structure, a sleeve Journalled on theshaft, means securing the sleeve to the casing, a member surrounding and journalled on the sleeve, means'securing one structure tothe member, means securing the other structure to the shaft, a clutch positioned within the casing so as to surround the member and connecting the casing and the member.

6. A power-transmitting device comprising a iuid` coupling having a rotatable casing and im# peller and runner structures, a shaft having driving engagement at one end-with one, structure, a sleeve journalled on the shaft, means securing the sleeve to the casing; a member surrounding and .journalled on the sleeve, means securing the other structure to the member, a clutch positioned within the housing and comprising a plurality of -plates some connected to the housing and some to the member, the clutch being engageable for driving through the action oi forcesl pressing the plates together and disengageable for interrupting driving upon release ofthe said forces, the uid within the'iiuid coupling coming into contact with the clutch plates.

'7. A power-transmitting device comprising a fluid coupling having a. rotatable casing and im,v peller and runner structures, a shaft having drivring engagement at one end with one structure, a

sleeve journalle'd on the shaft, means securing the sleeve to the casing, a member surrounding and journalled on the sleeve, means securing the other structure to the member, a magnetic clutch lpositioned within the housing and comprising a plurality of plates some connected to the housing and some to the member, and parts at opposite sides of the plates,\\t\he clutch being engageable for driving through pressing of the plates together by magnetic forces tending to bring the parts toward one another and being disengage-Y able for interrupting driving upon release of the said forces, the iluid within the uid coupling coming into contact with the clutch plates.

8. A power-transmitting device comprising a shaft, -a unitary structural assembly surrounding the shaft and including a rotatable casing and a sleeve secured to the casing and journalled on and extending along the shaft within the casing, a fluid coupling comprising impeller and runner structures positioned within the casing, one structure being mounted on the sleeve and the other structure being connected to the shaft. a seal surrounding the shaft and extending between the other structure and the sleeve so as to seal the shaft from uid acting between the impeller and runner structures, and a clutch positioned within the casing about the sleeve so as to connect the said one structure and the casing and inc1uding parts disengageable from one another for interruption of drive, the iiuid within the iluid coupling coming into contact with the clutch plates.

9. `A power-transmitting device comprising a shaft, a unitary structural assembly surrounding the shaft and enclosing an end thereof and including a, rotatable casing and a sleeve secured to and extending within the casing along the shaft toward the said end thereof and being journalled on the shaft, a, uid coupling comprising impeller and runner structures, one structure being journalled on the sleeve and the other structure being connected to the saidend of the shaft, means journalling the said other structure and the said end ofthe shaft on the casing, a seal extending between the sleeve and the said other structure so as to keep fluid acting between the impeller and runner structures away from the shaft, and a clutch operable in the iiuid acting between the impeller and runner structures and positioned within the housing around the sleeve so as to connect the housing and the said one structure.

10. A power-transmitting device comprising a rotatable Idriving member, a, rotatable driven member, a fluid coupling comprising a easing and impeller and runner structures, means connecting member, a fluid coupling comprising a casing and impeller-and runner structures, means connecting the driving member to the casing, a magnetic clutch positionedin the casing and connecting the casing Vand the impeller structure, and mean's connecting the runner structure to the driven member.

JOSEPH R. LEMON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record inthe file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number y Name Date 1,689,244 Klimek Oct. 30, 1928 2,019,745 Swennes Nov. 5, 1935 2,184,606 DeLavaud Dec. 26, 1939 2,296,642 Huebner, Jr. Sept. 22, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 151,563 Austrian Nov. 25, 1937 450,034

British `July 9, 1936 

